I often run into serious technologists - folks who live, breathe, and think technology all the time. Those who either push the frontiers of technology or play with existing technologies to come up with an innovative application. What I also realize is that many of them are absolutely clueless about how the business world works. It is indeed true that many technologists have become filthy rich, but at the same time, there are countless stories of technologists who got nothing more than a pat on the back from the management (and a citation on the patent) from their remarkable achievements that created millions or billions for their employer.
It is perfectly fair for a corporation to own all the technologies that its employees develop (after all the company provided all the infrastructure and intellectual capital to make it happen) but a technologist can really exploit the potential of a technology that she or he independently develops. Corporations of all sizes are constantly seeking new technologies for a variety of reasons: it is more expensive to develop technology in-house, acquiring a technology can give instant competitive advantage, new technologies can form a new basis of competition, etc.
So if you are a technology developer, you need to explore the option of selling or licensing this technology, particularly if you realize that either you cannot or do not wish to make a business out of it. Corporations can be pretty savvy when they conduct technology valuations so be prepared for some tough questioning particularly if you want to get the highest price possible.
Suggested link: How to conduct technology valuations?
It is perfectly fair for a corporation to own all the technologies that its employees develop (after all the company provided all the infrastructure and intellectual capital to make it happen) but a technologist can really exploit the potential of a technology that she or he independently develops. Corporations of all sizes are constantly seeking new technologies for a variety of reasons: it is more expensive to develop technology in-house, acquiring a technology can give instant competitive advantage, new technologies can form a new basis of competition, etc.
So if you are a technology developer, you need to explore the option of selling or licensing this technology, particularly if you realize that either you cannot or do not wish to make a business out of it. Corporations can be pretty savvy when they conduct technology valuations so be prepared for some tough questioning particularly if you want to get the highest price possible.
Suggested link: How to conduct technology valuations?